Ryan Elijah

Republican | Florida

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Candidate Profile*

U.S. Rep., Dist. 7 Florida Republican Primary and School Boards | August 18, 2026

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Anderson University, Anderson, Bachelors, 1994-

Liberty University, Lynchburg, 1991-

WORK & MILITARY

Television Anchor, 2026-

AFFILIATIONS

Lake Forest HOA, Board Member, 2020-

YMCA, Board Member, 2012-

Blackhawk Christian School, Board Member, 2012-

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

U.S. Congress, District 7, 2026-

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (6)

Stand For Health Freedom

*Mathew Staver

*Tom Wright

*Rachel Plakon

*Doug Bankson

OTHER (1)

*Mike Chitwood

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate received a grade of AQ from the NRA-Political Victory Fund.

Florida Family Action 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide.

Candidate interview. Pro-Life Radio Podcast. 28 Jun 2026. 50 min.

Candidate debate. WESH 2. 10 Jul 2026. 43 min.

Candidate profile. Florida Politics. 28 Apr 2026.

Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

I believe every life is a gift from God and must be protected.

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

While I support IVF and its availability, ethical safeguards for embryos need to be followed.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

None.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Disagree

Abortion providers should not receive any taxpayer dollars including those associated with Medicaid and Title X funds.

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

Free enterprise and private property rights are foundational to individual liberty, economic prosperity, and limited government.

People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.

Strongly Disagree

We should seek to lower taxes for all families, but every family should pay their share of taxes, not be penalized for their own success or prosperity.

The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.

Strongly Agree

Absolutely, we need to get government spending under control, specifically discretionary spending. The current national debt is not sustainable and must be addressed.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

Target and prosecute those defrauding government programs (Medicaid, Medicare, etc) 2) Support DOGE, Department of Government Efficiency, to slash unnecessary regulations and wasteful spending 3) Examine foreign aid programs to determine efficiency and purpose.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Individuals and businesses have First Amendment protections for religious freedom and they must be protected.

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

To protect the church from government encroachment. While we have many different religions in our country, “separation of church and state” is not meant to banish religious principles from public life or policy.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

B

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.

B. The U.S. must use discretion on foreign conflicts. I believe in peace through strength and stabilizing areas were American security or world peace are directly at risk.

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

It is very important. Israel has been a longtime valuable ally of the United States and provides critical information and stability in the volatile Middle East region.

Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.

Strongly Agree


IMMIGRATION

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

Those that follow the legal standards to come to the United Stares. We have clear immigration laws and they must be enforced.

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Agree

States can handle education better than the inefficient federal government. Public education is critical to our future generation, so that federal support must be accounted for at local levels.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Neutral

Many foreign governments fund American education currently. There are required disclosures for these and I believe strict oversight must continue.


VALUES

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Agree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

As a lifelong Christian, I follow Biblical principles in daily decisions. My faith in God is the most important aspect of my life. My faith brings perspective and balance to me, which is very helpful in public service.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

We must have secure and fair elections and providing a photo identification is a basic and needed requirement in that mission.


EQUALITY

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree

Of course not. Women’s sports are for biological women only.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Natural gas, coal and nuclear power are the most reliable.


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

I am a lifelong conservative, both fiscally and socially.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

As a parent, we are the best line of defense for our kids, but federal protections must be in place to protect our children from sexual predators or exploitation.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

We must continue to protect existing gun rights and defend the Second Amendment. Mental health services and the current required background checks protect public safety.

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